In a thrilling display of resilience, Sri Lanka made a strong comeback on Day 2 of the third Test against England at the Kennington Oval, thanks to the impressive performances of Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis, alongside their bowlers. After a challenging start, the visitors ended the day at 211 for 5, trailing England’s first-innings total of 325 by 114 runs.
Bowlers set the tone for Sri Lanka
The day began with Sri Lanka’s bowlers showcasing their skills, successfully bowling out England for 325 after the hosts had threatened to post a significantly higher total. The Sri Lankan pacers, led by Milan Rathnayake, were instrumental in restricting England’s lower order. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva also contributed with the ball, claiming 2 for 18, as England managed just 104 runs after resuming their innings at 221 for 3.
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However, Sri Lanka’s batting did not start smoothly. They faced an early collapse, slipping from a promising 70 for 1 to 93 for 5, leaving them in a precarious position. The top order struggled to cope with the pressure, with only Pathum Nissanka (64) managing to provide significant resistance before falling to debutant Josh Hull.
Unbroken partnership between Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis
Just when it seemed Sri Lanka’s innings might falter, Dhananjaya and Kamindu stepped up, forming a crucial unbeaten partnership of 118 runs. Dhananjaya finished the day on 64 not out, while Kamindu contributed a solid 54 not out. Their partnership not only stabilized the innings but also provided hope for Sri Lanka as they began to chip away at the deficit.
As the light deteriorated in the final session, England were forced to bowl spin, which played into the hands of the two Sri Lankan batters, known for their proficiency against slower deliveries. Despite a dropped catch by Hull, who misjudged a straightforward opportunity off Shoaib Bashir, Dhananjaya and Kamindu capitalized on the situation, milking runs effectively.
The partnership between Dhananjaya and Kamindu has put them back on the track, and the coming day will be crucial as they aim to take the lead in the match. With the series already secured by England, Sri Lanka will look to build on this momentum and challenge the hosts further as the Test progresses.
